The term nightshade describes the alkaloid family of vegetables that contain a phytochemical solanine, within the subset called glycoalkaloids. These chemicals can be irritating and inflammatory to body tissues in certain individuals. . .
Read moreWhole Foods Meal Prep | Quick Veg Creations, Marinated Chicken, + Tahini Sauce | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Whole foods meal preparation is an essential part of my wellness routine. It's an investment of time in exchange for clear energy, clarity, health maintenance, prevention, and delicious convenient food! Although it may seem daunting at first, practice and values outweigh the effort once it becomes a part of your lifestyle. . .
Read more5 Protein Power Recipes | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
It’s important to eat some protein first thing in the morning since it helps to tonify energy supplies until lunch. In comparison, a breakfast that is lacking in protein and high in carbohydrate will cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, resulting in inflammation, hypoglycaemia symptoms, foggy thinking, and/or cravings. . .
Read moreGolden Squash Soup | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Squash soups are creamy and sweet, nutrient dense, and perfect to refrigerate or freeze in portions for future meals ahead. Be creative with additions and toppings. . .
Read moreChange of Season Soup | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The seasonal interchanges are traditional times of purification in many cultures. Consuming soups and stews as daily meals during each season’s closure or birth can. . .
Read moreGinger Cookies | Gluten Free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The following non-conventional cookie recipe, made with sweet potato, is a yummy nourishing treat and a source of complex carbohydrate and minerals. According to Chinese medicine food therapy conventional sweet baking and ice cream cause an internal environment of dampness. . .
Read moreHerb Concentrates | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Herbs are incredibly high in antioxidants — compounds which fight free radicals and prevent oxidation. They contain anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory constituents that will keep your gut microbes happy. . .
Read moreHow to Bake Spaghetti Squash & Recipes | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Baked spaghetti squash, mild in colour and taste, makes an especially great pasta substitute for those who don’t eat grains. For those who do consume grain or bean pasta consider this as a convenient and nourishing option that promises variety to your meals. . .
Read moreHayley's Pho | Gluten-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
A few months ago my sister and I had a dinner date and had a craving to make home-made pho. We intuitively gathered the ingredients we wanted and went for it. . .
Read moreHemp Protein Pudding + Seasonal Fruit | Dairy-Free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Enjoy the following hemp pudding during warmer seasons, for breakfast or as a snack. Top with your favourite seasonal fruit and extra additions such as chopped nuts, seeds, tigernut, and cacao nibs. The protein, essential fatty acid, and mineral content will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied for hours. . .
Read moreCoconut Yogurt | Dairy-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Coconut yogurt is a fermented dairy-free product that is created by adding beneficial bacterial cultures to warm coconut milk. With temperature control and time the natural carbohydrates in coconut milk and the added maple syrup serves as a source of food for the introduced beneficial bacteria, which transform the natural sugars into tart tasting lactic acid. . .
Read moreTigernut Granola & Cookie Dough Balls | Gluten-free, Nut-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Tigernut granola is a simple grain, nut, and gluten free breakfast option that can be served over chia pudding, coconut yogurt, or grass-fed yogurt. Tigernuts are small tubers that are naturally sweet, high in fibre, and a good source of vitamin E, C, phosphorus, and potassium. Therapeutically the tuber assists . . .
Read moreMy Acupuncturist Tells Me I'm Damp! + Herbal Latte Recipe | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Dampness is a common TCM syndrome pattern, with signs and symptoms such as: bloating, indigestion, water retention, heaviness, fatigue, mental fogginess, sluggish metabolism, cysts, leucorrhea, achey joints, and stool inconsistency. Related western diagnoses that contain elements of damp include hormone imbalances such as hypothyroidism and PCOS, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, CIRS, diabetes, IBS, SIBO, candida overgrowth, and weeping skin conditions. . .
Bitters Formula for Digestive Health | Acupuncture - Victoria B
By Hayley Stobbs R.Ac, CNC
This is a simple and effective formula to stimulate gastric juices, enzymes, digestive fire, and appetite before a meal. To prepare, pour half and half of the items in the photo above (Maria’s Swedish Bitters and Barne’s apple cider vinegar + manuka) into an empty bottle. Shake before using. 5 - 10 minutes before a meal consume 1 - 2 teaspoons in a little warm water.
An alternative option is to add 1 - 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a little bit of warm water with a pinch of ginger root powder. Consume 5 - 20 minutes before your meals.
Consume digestive bitters or apple cider vinegar with ginger prior to each meal for the following imbalances: indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, intestinal cramps, and gas. For other ideas on how to improve natural enzyme secretions please read Mindful Eating.
If you’re interested in diet therapy as complimented by acupuncture I’d be happy to guide you along. Please visit www.vcaspa.com to book online or call 250-590-4341. To learn more about my acupuncture practice, follow @hayley_stobbs on Instagram.
In health & happiness,
Hayley Stobbs R.Ac, CNC
Nightshade-free Salsa + Salsa Verde | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
I intuitively eliminated tomato out of my diet at a young age simply because I didn't feel good after eating them. Later on, green peppers, and then I noticed eggplant and goji berries would cause wheezing symptoms. Once I started studying nutrition I learned that these foods are nightshade plants. . .
Read more2 Granola Recipes: Hemp + Chia | Gluten-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
The omega-6 content in hemp seed includes the healthy gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SA), both of which are anti-inflammatory in nature, credited with effectively treating skin disorders, autoimmune functioning, and circulation. Chia seed is high in soluble and insoluble fibre (4.4g per tbsp.): this along with healthy fat and protein will keep blood sugar stable for hours. . .
Read moreHealing Congee | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Congee is a warm medicinal porridge that is rooted in traditional Chinese culture. It is consumed preventatively as a way to boost digestive and immune system health, as well as during and after illness to assist in recovery. . .
Read moreNourishing Bone Broth | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Homemade bone broth is an incredibly nutrient-dense, traditional recipe. Connective tissue within bones, ligaments, and the skin of mammals contain restorative amino acid-starch containing compounds called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are composed of glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. GAGs are building blocks of the tissue known as collagen and hydrolyzed collagen, known as gelatin. . .
Read moreHow to Make Golden Ghee | Dairy-free | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Ghee is made with unsalted butter that has been gently cooked then skimmed and strained of milk solids. Simmering butter at a low temperature allows separation to occur; the water evaporates, the lactose coagulates, and the protein settles to the bottom. You know you’ve created ghee when the sunken milk solids have turned golden in colour and as your kitchen fills with a wonderful aroma. . .
Read more24-Hour Yogurt. Low in Lactose, Full of Probiotics | Acupuncture - Victoria BC
Those with lactose intolerance often find 24-hour homemade yogurt much easier to digest since it contains very little lactose. In contrast, most store bought yogurts are fermented for only 6-8 hours, and do not allow enough time for most of the lactose to be digested by the bacterial culture. . .
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